Real Steel (A review and a giveaway)

The following movie review is brought to you by Lucy R. Darby:

If anyone asked you if you’d like to go to Walt Disney Studios to see a pre-screening of the new Dreamworks Pictures movie, Real Steel, starring Hugh Jackman…

It would behoove you to say yes. (Thanks, Dreamworks!)

 

Based on the trailers, I nostalgically dubbed it the “Rock ‘em, Sock ‘em Robot Movie.” 

The magic of wandering around the Disney back lots like VIPs and actually being close enough to touch one of the original multiplane cameras that was used to produce classics like Pinocchio was still fresh when we entered the theater. 

Jon geeking out over the Disney multiplane camera.

May I say a few words about Hugh Jackman? 

We love him. Even when he’s playing a character so unlikeable, unmotivated, greedy, contemptuous, and impatient, we can’t take our eyes of the screen. And we were rooting for him to finally become the dad we knew he could be. (I hope that didn't give anything away.....)

Synopsis:

Charlie Kenton, former boxing champion, has turned to training fighting robots and is desperate for money. In a less than ideal turn of events, he agrees to take care of his estranged son, Max, for the duration of the summer. Immediately, we see the conflict between them, as well as the similarities. They’re both stubborn, cocky, and they end up working together to guarantee the success of a newly discovered robot, named Atom. 

Constantly struggling to make a living and trying to mend the relationship with his son, Charlie is forced to overcome his arrogance and his past mistakes.

And while Hugh Jackman is arguably the eye-candy in this film, the stars who totally steal the show are Noisy Boy and Atom.

And now, a few words from Jonathan Darby:

“It was a mix between… I guess, a really great action movie and the classic Disney template. It was epic. I almost cried.”

For a movie about futuristic fighting robots, the fight scenes weren’t excessive or repetitive. Jon was practically jumping out of his seat to encourage the imaginary machines. Not to spoil anything… but Mom did cry at the end.

As I was sitting in the theater, watching the credits scroll, I was silently hoping the words “based on a true story” would appear on the screen. I was disappointed.

But definitely not with the film. Go. See. It.

~Lucy Darby

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Marta here. I don't want to give away any spoilers, but, as Lucy said, it was a very enjoyable film. The fight scenes between the robots were violent, but hello? They're fighting robots. I think it's more suitable for tweens and teens rather than very little kids. And of course, anyone who loves video games. But trust me, you're going to want to see Real Steel.

And, okay....maybe I cried....just a little. 

My one-day-I'm-going-to-be-a-filmmaker son cuts loose on the Disney back lot.

The folks at Dreamworks Pictures were gracious enough to let me offer a giveaway that ties in to the film. Of course, I am greatly pleased.

The prize pack from Dreamworks Pictures includes all of these:

• REAL STEEL t-shirt in adult sizes of S, M, L, XL

• REAL STEEL bottle opener

• REAL STEEL stickers & temporary tattoos

So, to enter this drawing, please answer one or all of the following questions:

• Have you seen the trailers for Real Steel?
• What would you name your own fighting robot? ;-)

Remember that if you want to enter the drawing for the Dreamworks gift pack, you must leave a comment on this post and I'll choose a winner onThursday, October 6th, 2011 at 10 am PST. 

Dreamworks Pictures' REAL STEEL opens in theatres everywhere this Friday, October 7th.

You should make plans to go see it. Take your favorite geeky gamers. =D